The first item for today is a repeat post, but I give it again today so I can follow it with related texts from various newspapers from various dates. These texts are from the research files of Joan Hostetler who graciously forwarded them to me. I'll also mention that a daguerreotype of a "floating daguerreian gallery" can be seen in William Welling, "Photography in America: The Formative Years 1839- 1900: A Documentary History" (New York: Thomas Crowell, 1978) page 63. - - - - - - - - - On this day (June 15) in the year 1848, the following notice appeared in the "The Boston Daily Evening Transcript" page 2: A daguerreotype artist by the name of Jaquay, has purchased a flat boat at Pittsburg, and fitted up a daguerreotype gallery on board. He intends to float with the current. * * * * * In the "Lawrenceburgh Independent Press" (Indiana) Sept. 26, 1851, p. 2 Daguerreotypes. A few mornings since our citizens were not a little excited by the appearance at our wharf of a novel craft, called "The Artist." On visiting the singular boat, we learned that she was commanded by Messrs. Jaquay & Elston; two well known daguerrean artists, who have fitted out this boat in a neat & comfortable style, and now for more than 3 yrs. have been gently & leisurely descending the Ohio--stopping for a season at each town & taking likenesses, landscape sceneries &c. at cheap rates everywhere giving universal satisfaction of their superior knowledge & experience in the art. They are polite & gentlemanly in their manners & make their appearance among us well recommended. In the same publication, the following ad ran Sept. 26--Nov. 7, 1851: Have arrived in Floating Daguerrean Gallery & prepared to furnish daguerreotype likenesses equal in finish, clearness & depth of tone accuracy & effect to anything in the country. The convenience & superior arrangements for the concentration of light alloted by the floating gallery enable them to produce in the shortest possible time, pictures of the human face divine. In their floating pilgrimage of 3 yrs. along the Ohio they have taken the likenesses of more than 11,000 persons. They have generally been very successful in taking likenesses of infants. All their pictures warranted not to fade or change by time or climate. Those wishing pictures please call at their Floating Gallery near the city wharf boat, at any hour between sunrise and sunset. Access to the Gallery is entirely convenient and safe. Jaquay & Elston. * * * * * In the "New Albany Daily Ledger" Mar. 29, 1855, p. 2 We call attention to the advertisement of Jaquay & Co., proprietors of the boat "Artist," where they have every facility for taking Daguerreotype likenesses. Go down to their floating gallery and examine their specimens. Their boat is lying at the foot of Bank St. They have taken over 20,000 pictures on their way down from Pittsburgh. In the same publication, the following ad appeared March 29, 1855, p. 2 (the advertisement's only appearance): News from Pittsburgh - Latest Arrival - Only seven years from port! Yes the FLOATING DAGUERREAN GALLERY ARTIST is here, now moored at the foot of Bank St., where pictures are taken in the neatest style and at prices to suit the times. We shall say nothing in regard to our proficiency in the art, leaving a discriminating public to judge for themselves. With our strong side and sky light, we are taking likenesses of infants in less than 3 seconds. Call and examine specimens. N. B. We will be here only two weeks. A. Jaquay & Co. mh29 d 3. -------------------------------------------------------------- 06-15-99